2023 Dodge Hornet vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was a fresh take on the Ioniq name, diverging from its predecessor with a new design and electrified focus. It featured a minimalist exterior with subtle character lines, but a closer look revealed a complex design with an abundance of Parametric Pixel elements. These pixels were integrated into all the lighting components, creating a futuristic yet somewhat overwhelming aesthetic. The interior, however, was a stark contrast with its calm and relaxing "Living Space" theme, offering sustainable materials and a zero-gravity relaxation mode for the driver.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Hornet showcased a bold, muscle-car-inspired front end with a wide, aggressive "raccoon mask" face and bulging hood. The rear design, reminiscent of a Porsche Macan or Cayenne, added a premium touch, though it felt less distinctly Dodge. The Hornet's standard silver 17-inch wheels were a point of contention, appearing cheap from a distance, but the available Blacktop and Track Pack packages offered more appealing options. Inside, the Hornet emphasized performance with red stitching and a flat-bottomed steering wheel, though the base trim lacked some of the comfort features found in higher trims.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered a range of powertrains and configurations. The base SE Standard Range model featured a 128-kW rear-mounted electric motor with 168 horsepower and a 220-mile range. The extended-range models, available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, had a 168-kW rear motor producing 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, with a 303-mile range. The AWD variants added a dual-motor system with a total output of 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, though the range dropped to 256 miles. The Ioniq 5's performance was solid but not sporty, with a 0-60 mph time of under 5 seconds in AWD configuration. The vehicle also featured adjustable regenerative braking and a quiet cabin thanks to noise-reducing features.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet boasted impressive power stats with its Hurricane 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, producing 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This outperformed many competitors, including the Chevy Trailblazer and Honda HR-V. The Hornet's Sport mode enhanced throttle response, steering, and upshifts, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds. While the base model was peppy, it experienced some lag during mid-speed acceleration. The Hornet R/T's hybrid powertrain offered improved pickup, making it a more responsive option.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 utilized the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), providing a longer wheelbase and maximizing interior space. Despite its hatchback appearance, it was sized like an electric SUV, with a wheelbase longer than the seven-passenger Hyundai Palisade. The Ioniq 5 offered 133.7 cubic feet of interior volume, surpassing competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. The interior featured soft touchpoints, a moveable center console, and comfortable leatherette seats, emphasizing a "Living Space" theme.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet's GT Plus trim featured comfortable leather seats with four-way powered lumbar adjustment and memory settings. The Alcantara seats in the Track Pack offered similar comfort. The driver-oriented cockpit layout included a screen angled towards the driver and well-placed controls. However, the A-pillar design occasionally obstructed the view of oncoming traffic. The front passenger seat matched the driver's for adjustability, and both seats were heated and ventilated in the GT Plus trim.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was equipped with advanced technology, including a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes and gaining 68 miles of range in 5 minutes with a 350-kW charger. The Ioniq 5 also offered unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years through Electrify America. Inside, it featured 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment, a redesigned Blue Link app, and a digital key.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet's cockpit emphasized the driver with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen angled towards the driver. The Uconnect 5 system was intuitive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Amazon Alexa connectivity. The GT Plus trim added a 14-speaker Harman Kardon system, wireless charging pad, and navigation. The touchscreen's layout made it easy to use, though the Apple CarPlay display was slightly different due to the screen's shape.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and front- and rear-collision avoidance. It also featured Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The Ioniq 5 was expected to earn high safety ratings, though official ratings were not yet available.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet included standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. The Tech Pack added a 360-degree camera, driver-attention monitoring, and Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities. The Hornet had not yet been evaluated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but its advanced safety features were promising.